ABSTRACT
Gender Socialization and Cultural Diversity Socialization is the lifelong process by which, through social interaction, we learn our culture, develop our sense of self, and become functioning members of society. This simple definition does not do justice to the profound impact of socialization. Each generation transmits essential cultural elements to the next generation through socialization. Primary socialization, the focus of the research and theory overviewed in this chapter, begins in the family and allows the child to acquire necessary skills to fit into society, especially language and acceptable behavior to function effectively in a variety of social situations. Continuing socialization provides the basis for the varied roles an individual will fill throughout life.
